“We are on track to triple our North American portfolio since Starwood first acquired Le Méridien in 2005,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien and Westin. “With shared passions for culture, the arts and cuisine, Chicago has long been on our short list, and the location is a great backdrop for our Le Méridien brand promise to unlock the destination for the curious and creative-minded traveler.”

The hotel features a new modern façade, which opens into the hotel’s signature arrival experience, Le Méridien Hub. Le Méridien arrival consists of four elements: large-scale artwork in high impact areas; the sensory experience, illustrated through Le Méridien signature scent, sound and use of light; UNLOCK ART programme, featuring artist designed key card collections that offer access to the Elmhurst Art Museum; and a 24-hour curated soundtrack by French Bossa Nova band Nouvelle Vague. The Hub also features the signature Master Barista, a recently launched initiative to meet the growing demands of coffee lovers at every Le Méridien hotel worldwide. The Master Baristas lead coffee-related initiatives at each hotel.

Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center presents the work of local Chicago artists and abstract installations representing notable Chicago symbols, such as bicycles and the Ferris wheel, which debuted at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. Upon arrival, guests will experience a large-scale, one-of-a-kind mural depicting the architecture of the city by contemporary artist Justus Roe of the Chicago Artists Coalition. The Hub also features an installation of a deconstructed bicycle, a nod to Oak Brook’s many biking trails, with the bike chain in the shape of Illinois and the headlight representing Chicago.

Each floor of the hotel’s elevator lobbies showcases images taken from Chicago’s signature “L” train, including the mileage and direction from the hotel in relation to where each particular shot was taken. The Executive Club Lounge features eight photographs by Chicago native Satoki Nagata portraying Chicagoland locals caught in the rain. Custom graphic patterns throughout the hotel, created by Starwood’s design team, are abstract designs of local contextual nuances, including original Daniel Burnham city plans for Chicago and maps of the public spaces of the Windy City.